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WELCOME TO 11TH GRADE!!!WELCOME TO 11TH GRADE!!!WELCOME TO 11TH GRADE!!!
If you have not been the stellar student you know you can be, now is the
time to make the necessary changes. This is one of the few opportunities
you have in life to START OVER. You have the opportunity to BE the
person/student you want to be. What you do from here on will affect how you
are able to live your life after high school. Here are some suggestions to
help you along the way:
1. GET INVOLVED. Be sure to join a group or activity that you might
enjoy. This will not only help you meet others, but it will also expose you
to the types of activities that will help you to become a part of the
Northshore High Family.
2. STUDY. Do this from day 1. I can't stress enough the importance of
keeping up with your subjects daily. A little bit goes a long way.
3. BE READY FOR CHANGE. Keep in mind that you are now in HIGH SCHOOL and
it is VERY DIFFERENT from what you were used to in Junior High. There is
always a reasonable transition time when changes in your life are made.
Give yourself time to adjust. This usually takes 4-6 weeks. It is normal
to feel out of place and out of control. This WILL PASS.
4. BE PREPARED. You will be expected to prepare for your classes. This
means reading the night before the assignment expected. The teachers assign
this for a reason. They are going to expect you to do this. They are not
here to GIVE you an education, but one is here for you should you TAKE
ADVANTAGE. Know that high school is HARD. It is supposed to be hard. Do
not ask if you have to take notes - just DO IT.
5. BE ORGANIZED. Get a planner for yourself and WRITE down all assignments
and projects on the day it will be due. This way all your important dates
and requirements are located in a central area.
6. HANG IN THERE. Even though things may be difficult, you will find that
perserverance pays off. You will never regret sticking things out. If you
get in the habit of quitting because things get hard, you will not be
prepared for the future. Life is not easy, but it is worth it - hardships
and all.
7. BEGIN YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH. You should now begin to look at colleges and
what their requirements are. As you progress through the year, narrow down
your choices so that by the end of the year you may have 3-5 sure choices
and a few "dream" choices. Pay attention to what EACH school requires since
most of them have their own requirements, seperate from other schools.
8. BE PREPARED FOR SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS. This year will be your last
opportunity to get your grades up. Most scholarships are decided by your
six-semester transcript. If you are planning on waiting until Senior year
to get that 4.0, DON'T. You must do it now. I would hate to see you lose
out on scholarship opportunities because you don't have the GPA.
9. SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. You should begin to search for any and all
scholarships that you think you will qualify for and plan to apply for.
This is a lengthy process. I have found that the students who search early
and know what they are planning to apply for by the time they are Seniors,
are the students who get the scholarship awards. If you need to, make sure
and schedule an appointment with the Parish College Counselor for additional
assistance.
10. TAKE THE ACT / SAT
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HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE ACT:
Students planning to take the ACT should begin to prepare NOW! What should
you do?
1. Read the test taking strategies in your test manuals.
2. Read directions carefully enough that you are familiar with them.
3. Work through the practice tests provided in your manuals or go to
www.act.org
4. Expect to do well.
5. A good book in reviewing for the vocabulary section of the test is Thirty
Days to Build a Better Vocabulary.
6. Consider self-help books (available in the school library), test review
courses, and web sites.
ON TEST DAY
1. Check your admission ticket for the test site and take the ticket with
you.
2. Dress comfortably. You may wish to bring a jacket/sweater since some
test sites are very cold.
3. Arrive early on test day. If you are late, you will not be admitted and
no refund will be given.
4. Bring proper ID with you (drivers license, school ID [picture]) YOU MUST
HAVE PROPER IDENTIFICATION OR YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.
5. Bring (3) #2 sharpened pencils.
6. Take a watch for pacing yourself. (NO BEEPING INSTRUMENTS)
7. Bring an approved calculator for the math section – see your
registration booklet for acceptable calculators. Calculators are not
provided and you may not share.
8. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test and eat a good breakfast in
the morning. Your body needs fuel to function properly. No food or drink
will be allowed in the testing room.
9. Make sure you answer all questions. When the five minute warning is
called, bubble in the remaining answers. Select either B or C and bubble in
either all C’s or all B’s. NOTE: This hint is for the ACT. The PSAT and
SAT are scored differently.
FREE SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ENGINES:
www.fastweb.com
www.guaranteed-scholarships.com
www.eduprep.com
www.princetonreview.com/finance
THE OFFICIAL SITE FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID:
www.ed.gov/studentaid
EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT LOUISIANA COLLEGES:
www.regents.state.la.us (click on High School Students)
ST TAMMANY PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTER:
Web site: www.stpsb.org click on Curriculum and Instruction Link
Phone No.: (985) 898-6458 or (985) 898-6456
Address: 227 East Jefferson Avenue, Covington, LA 70433
Contact: Annette O'Regan
ALL ABOUT TOPS:
Go to the St. Tammany Parish Website - www.stpsb.org - click on the
site index and then the college counseling handbook. Here you will find all
the information you need about preparation for college searches and also how
you can calculate your TOPS GPA. A planning calendar is given. The
information in this book is invaluable. Print it out if you can or procure
one form the College Counseling Center in Covington. We do have some here
at NHS so maybe I can help you here.
It is not too early to start narrowing down your choices. Begin a
relationship with the school/schools of your choice. Start communicating
with the admissions officials on-line and get your face and name familiar to
them. Visit the schools of your choice. You want to make a really informed
decision. Speak to students who attend and ASK QUESTIONS!!
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LIFE LESSONS TO LEARN:
1. You are responsible for your own happiness. No one can diminish
your self-esteem unless you give them permission to do so.
2. When something is troubling you, tell people you trust instead of
trying to cover it up. You’ll be surprised to learn that they’ve been
through something similar.
3. Don’t pass up an opportunity to tell people you care about them.
You may never get another chance.
4. Reserve judgment until you know all the facts.
5. Be grateful for your good health and the health of those you love.
Be aware that without good health, wealth and success means little.
6. If you enjoy your work and your life, you are rich. If you aren’t
happy with either, how can money help?
7. Don’t be afraid to try something you think you cannot do.
8. There’s no such thing as a perfect man or woman. Look for the best
overall package. Otherwise, you’ll be alone.
9. You can learn something from everyone – because every person in the
world knows SOMETHING you don’t.
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